updated 01:35 pm EST, Wed December 15, 2010

Google Fiber picks delayed to early 2011

Google on Wednesday said it was pushing back its decision on the cities for Google Fiber to early 2011. It had originally planned to detail the cities and areas getting 1Gbps Internet access but was "not quite ready" to say which ones. Almost 1,100 communities responded and overwhelmed the company, Google said.

As part of the update, the company took on a formal leader for the team. Former M2Z Networks CTO Milo Medin has signed on to the company as the VP of the new Access Services group, which will handle both the Google Fiber project and its Stanford test project. He has been been known for promoting a short-lived attempt to supply free wireless Internet access.

The fiber optic plans were started up as a form of real-world research for Google that would let it see what was possible with very fast Internet access. Video has been one of the most self-explanatory candidates, but it could also involve real-time search features that might struggle on most home Internet service today. Verizon has promised the possibility of 1Gbps FiOS with future upgrades, and the FCC has outlined hopes to get 100Mbps in most homes over the next decade.